18 Apr 2011 A whole lotta flavor at Bartolotta Burgers

by Don Bingham

Great burger options abound in the 501 LIFE area – among them are Shorty’s, Mean Bean Cafe, Shorty’s Express, David’s and much more, depending on your personal preference. There is a “new kid on the block” – Bartolotta Burgers – and it is well worth the short drive to the Springhill-Greenbrier area for that hamburger fix we all occasionally experience.

We ate there recently and were met with a friendly “down-home” greeting and atmosphere and a fun-filled, diversified burger menu. Sam Bartolotta and his wife, Julia, are the owners and operators of Bartolotta Burgers. Coming from an Italian influence, the two have great cooking experience, and from this background comes the various burger offerings.

We ordered the traditional style cheeseburger, with the exception of one of our guests who wanted to try the Turkey Burger. Let me say this – the Turkey Burger is worth the drive! I’m usually not a heavy proponent of turkey or bean burgers, but this one is amazing.

Sam suggested that we try a sample of each burger flavor, and out from the kitchen came the Italiano Burger, the BBQ Burger, the Jamaican Burger and the Heatwave Burger, each accompanied with the establishment’s own fresh cut French fries. Sam explained that all meats are fresh ground chuck – ground daily and hand formed with the various accents, spices, rubs and sauces that individualize each burger. The Turkey Burger was still the best!

I asked Sam about the uniqueness of the Turkey Burger, and he told me about guests that had been driving as far as Heber Springs for it, and it was not uncommon to serve a “Triple Turkey Burger!” Julia spent some time perfecting the flavors and ingredients for the freshly ground turkey wonder, and the combinations are just perfectly seasoned for a delicious surprise.

Chicken strip dinners and chicken salad also round out the menu. And spaghetti with the family sauce recipe is served on Monday nights. There’s even a grilled cheese on the children’s menu.

To top it all off, Bartolotta’s has incredible milkshakes of various flavors. We all shared a peanut butter and chocolate shake, very much like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup! The Turkey Burger was still the best!

As a unique part of the dining experience, it is not uncommon for an entertainer to be a part of the dining experience! One of the nights we were there for a Turkey Burger, the featured entertainment was a gifted magician. Not only was he entertaining for the adults, but the kids were memorized by his performance.

Bartolotta Burgers is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday.

The evening we visited, Sam had just taken a carryout order for 50 burgers. They do offer carryout and party catering. The family encourages church attendance, and the atmosphere of Bartolotta Burgers well represents this conviction.

Bartolotta Burgers is located at 655 Hwy. 65 North just south of Greenbrier. To place an order or for more information, call 501.581.0001.

Oh, yes, did I fail to mention that the Turkey Burger is the best?